The Latest: A Weekly Federal Update (05/16/22)
Upcoming Events & Activities
May 16th, 2021 - May 20th, 2022
All events in Eastern Standard Time
Monday, May 16th
No events to report.
Tuesday, May 17th
10:00 AM - House Budget Committee: Hearing titled, "FY2023 Budget Priorities: Members' Day"
10:00 AM - Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee: Hearing titled, "To Examine the U.S.-Canada Energy & Minerals Partnership"
10:15 AM - House Energy & Commerce Committee: Hearing titled, "The FY2023 EPA Budget"
1:00 PM - House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee: Hearing titled, "Preparing for Take-Off: Examining Efforts to Address Climate Change at U.S. Airports"
1:30 PM - House Appropriations Committee: Hearing titled, "FY2023 Budget Request for the U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement"
Wednesday, May 18th
10:00 AM - House Appropriations Committee: Hearing titled, "FY2023 Budget Request for the Transportation Security Agency"
10:00 AM - House Appropriations Committee: Hearing titled, "FY2023 Budget Request for the Federal Trade Commission and the Securities & Exchange Commission"
10:00 AM - Senate Appropriations Committee: Hearing titled, "FY2023 Budget Request for the EPA"
10:00 AM - Senate Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions Committee: Hearing titled, "Cybersecurity in the Health & Education Sectors"
2:30 PM - Senate Small Business & Entrepreneur Committee: Hearing to markup S. 1687 Small Business Cyber Training Act, S. 3906 Small Business Broadband & Emerging Information Technology Enhancement Act, and other bills
Thursday, May 19th
10:00 AM - House Appropriations Committee: Hearing titled, "FY2023 Budget Request for the Food & Drug Administration"
10:00 AM - Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee: Hearing titled, "To Examine the President's FY2023 Budget Request for the Department of the Interior"
10:00 AM - Electrosoft: Webinar titled, "Enterprise Security Operations: Needs, Challenges, and Opportunities"
Friday, May 20th
11:00 AM -House Science, Space, & Technology Committee: Hearing titled, "Building a Workforce to Navigate the Electric Vehicle Future"
Energy, Water & Environment
The latest from the House and Senate Committees on energy (infrastructure), WIFIA, wastewater management, environmental issues, interior, or environmental justice.
Legislation
H.R. 7771, To require the Secretary of the Army and the Administrator of the EPA to conduct a study analyzing the cost to permit applicants and permit holders of complying with section 402 & 404 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act
Sponsor: Rep. David Rouzer (R-NC-07) referred to Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Date Introduced: May 13, 2022
H.R. 7731, To require the Administrator of the EPA to revise labeling requirements for fuel pumps that dispense E15
Sponsor: Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA-08) referred to Energy & Commerce Committee
Date Introduced: May 11, 2022
H.R. 7696 - Clean Water Standards for PFAS 2.0 Act of 2022, To establish effluent limitations and standards and water quality criteria for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act
Sponsor: Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH-01) referred to Transportation & Infrastructure Committee
Date Introduced: May 10, 2022
News
The Hill: Study Finds Curbing Energy-Related Air Pollutants Could Save 53k Lives Annually
On May 16th, a study, published in GeoHealth, found that by eliminating fine particles generated by energy-related activities, such as electricity generation, transportation, industrial operations, and heating and cooking, in the U.S. could prevent about 53,200 premature deaths and save the economy about $608 billion each year from avoided healthcare costs and loss of life. According to the study, exposure to fine particulate matter—particles with a diameter of 2.5 microns or less—can contribute to health issues like heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and low respiratory infections, which can shorten life expectancy.
The Hill: Biden Administration Cancels Offshore Oil & Gas Lease Sales
On May 12th, the U.S. Department of the Interior is canceling three planned oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska's Cook Inlet. A spokesperson stated that the Alaska's Cook Inlet would not proceed due to insufficient industry interest and the sale of lease 259 and 261 in the Gulf of Mexico will not proceed due to contradictory court rulings on the leases. The Alaska lease would have covered more than 1 million acres. The federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management previously canceled lease sales in the area in 2007, 2008 and 2011, also citing lack of interest from industry at the time.
Transportation & Infrastructure
The latest from the House and Senate Committees on industrial and commercial mechanical insulation, cybersecurity, supply chains, port authority, metropolitan transit, or airports.
Legislation
H.R. 7717 - American Apprenticeship Act, To establish and strengthen projects that defray the cost of related instruction associated with pre-apprenticeship and qualified apprenticeship programs
Sponsor: Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) referred to Education & Labor Committee
Date Introduced: May 11, 2022
News
Politico: CO2 Emissions Rose 6% in 2021
On May 13th, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said U.S. energy-related carbon dioxide emissions rose 6.2%, or 296 million metric tons, due to a "rise in economy activity and energy consumption once the initial economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic began to subside." The EIA noted that emissions ticked 5% lower than pre-pandemic 2019 levels.
Immigration & Detention
The latest from the House and Senate Committee on immigration, detention, homeland security, border security, asylum seekers, criminal justice reform, Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP), U.S. Marshal Service (USMS), alternatives to detention programming, reentry programming, or Bureau of Prisons.
Legislation
H.R. 7772, To authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to suspend the entry of aliens
Sponsor: Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX-21) referred to Homeland Security Committee; Judiciary Committee
Date Introduced: May 13, 2022
H.R. 7757, To provide for an emergency response by the Department of Homeland Security to migration surges
Sponsor: Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI-08) referred to Homeland Security Committee; Judiciary Committee
Date Introduced: May 12, 2022
H.R. 7756, To establish a Department of Homeland Security integrated border intelligence analytical cell and Joint Task Force to combat transnational criminal organizations exploiting migration surges
Sponsor: Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI-08) referred to Homeland Security Committee; Judiciary Committee
Date Introduced: May 12, 2022
H.R. 7725, To amend the Immigration & Nationality Act to limit the availability of asylum for aliens transiting through third countries
Sponsor: Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA-10) referred to Judiciary Committee
Date Introduced: May 11, 2022
News
CNN: SCOTUS Limits Review of Factual Disputes in Immigration Cases
On May 16th, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled against a Georgia man, who has spent decades in the United States and faces deportation after checking the wrong box on a driver's license application. The rule made it effectively more difficult for non-citizens who are in removal proceedings to get a federal court to review factual determinations that were made by an immigration court concerning relief from deportation. Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote the decision for 5-4 court. Trump-appointed Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote the dissent for himself with the three Democrat-appointed justices.
Pankajkumar S. Patel, a citizen of India, entered the US unlawfully in 1992 and was seeking to become a lawful permanent resident. In 2008, while his petition to adjust his status was pending, he checked a box on a driver’s license renewal application falsely maintaining that he was a US citizen. He was later charged with making a false statement. Although the charges against him were dropped, the Department of Homeland Security ultimately placed him, his wife and one of his sons in removal proceedings. He lost his case before an immigration judge in a decision that was upheld by the Board of Immigration Appeals that said he had not shown that his decision to check the box was an innocent mistake.
Public Health & Safety
The latest from House and Senate committees on health insurance, COVID-19 and testing, gun safety, Medicare & Medicaid, telehealth, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), CDC, FDA, or rural hospitals.
Legislation
H.R. 7755, To improve access to care for all Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries through models tested under the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation
Sponsor: Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL-07) referred to Energy & Commerce Committee; Ways & Means Committee
Date Introduced: May 12, 2022
H.R. 7711 - LIFE Act, To provide for a national program to conduct and support activities toward the goal of significantly reducing the number of cases of overweight and obesity among individuals in the United States
Sponsor: Rep. Eleanor Holmes-Norton (D-DC) referred to Energy & Commerce Committee
Date Introduced: May 10, 2022
News
CBS News: GOP-Endorsed Governor Candidate Says Previous Gun Control Support Mistake
On May 14th, Republican candidate for governor, Dr. Scott Jensen, apologized to delegates for once being on the wrong side of the gun control issue. In 2017, Jensen co-authored on two gun control measures: requiring universal background checks for gun sales and transfers and making it illegal for a gun owner failing to report to police if a gun is stolen from him or her. Neither of those measures Jensen supported in 2017 passed the legislature. Jensen is both a gun owner and a member of the National Rifle Association.
Finance & Federal Partnerships
The latest from House and Senate committees on taxation, retirement, small business, federal contracting, or monetary policy.
Legislation
H.R. 7751, To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a gasoline tax holiday
Sponsor: Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ-01) referred to Ways & Means Committee; Energy & Commerce Committee
Date Introduced: May 12, 2022
H.R. 7699, To rescind certain amounts appropriated under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
Sponsor: Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA-01) referred to Oversight & Reform Committee; Financial Services Committee; Transportation & Infrastructure Committee
Date Introduced: May 10, 2022
H.R. 7694, To modify the requirements relating to the evaluation of the subcontracting plans of certain offerors
Sponsor: Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN-08) referred to Small Business Committee
Date Introduced: May 10, 2022
Notices of Funding Opportunities
Aviation Grants: Airport Improvement Program
The Federal Aviation Administration is accepting applications for approximately $1.5 billion in FY2022 discretionary grants from April 20th until June 30th. For further information, contact David Cushing, Manager, Airports Financial Assistance Division, APP-500, at (202)267-8827. Eligible projects include those improvements related to enhancing airport safety, capacity, security, and environmental concerns.
Aviation Grants: FAA Contract Tower (FCT) Competitive Grant Program (via IIJA)
The Federal Aviation Administration is accepting applications for approximately $20 million in FY2022 Airport Infrastructure Grant funds from April 20th until May 16th. For further information, contact Robin Hunt, BIL Implementation Team, FAA Office of Airports, at (202)267-3263, or at
9-ARP-BILAirports@faa.gov. The purpose of the FCT Competitive Grant Program is to make annual grants available to eligible airports for airport-owned airport traffic control tower (ATCT) projects that address the aging infrastructure of the nation's airports.
Waterways Grants: America's Marine Highway Program
Due to additional funding made under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022, the Maritime Administration (DoT) has announced the availability of additional funding for grants for the development and expansion of documented vessels or port and landslide infrastructure or also will strengthen American supply chains. Applications must be received by 5:00 PM EDT on June 17th, 2022 using Grants.gov. For assistance, contact Fred Jones (Office of Ports & Waterways Planning, Maritime Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation) at (202)366-1123 or email at Fred.Jones@dot.gov.
Special Reports
The latest from reports issued from the Office of Government Accountability, the Congressional Research Service, and others.
CRS: May 13, 2022 - Summary of Selected Biden Administration Actions on Supply Chains
CRS: May 11, 2022 - U.S. EPA Water Infrastructure Programs and FY2022 Appropriations
CRS: May 2, 2022 - Federal Retirement Plans FAQ's
GAO: May 5, 2022 - The Nation's Fiscal Health: Federal Action Critical to Pivot toward Fiscal Sustainability
GAO: May 12, 2022 - COVID-19: FDA Took Steps to Help Make Tests Available; Policy for Future Public Health Emergencies Needed
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